Airplane brake



July 29 1930 .1. w. sElDEN 1,771,941

AIRP'LANE BRAKE Filed Feb. 26, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnvenfor 2. c/ W Seiden,

(Itforrleu S July 29, 1930- l J. w. sElpEN 1,771,941

AIRPLANE BRAKE vFiled Feb. 26, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Snventor cf. W Sez/Lafer@ m /MWM Gttorneg S.

Patented July 29, 1930 JOHN W. SENDEN, OF LEWISTOWN, MONTANA AIRPLAN E BRAKE Application mea February as, 1929. serial No.

This invention relates to improvements in motion retarding or braking means for vair,- planes, `having for an obj ect to provide an airplane with an addi-tional propeller,l so mounted with respect to the fuselage and vsustaining planes thereof, that with rotation in a Vgiven direction, the same will exert a retarding or braking influence upon the forward motion of the airplane, hence, enabling an'aviator to effeetually control lmovement of such airplane upon terrain and particularly, facilitating the bringing of an equipped airplane to al full stop upon a landing field after materially shorter runs, thereby 'allowing landings to be successfully madeY upon comparatively restricted fields, as well as permitting the braking or stopping of vthe machine in emergencies occurring either prior or subsequently toa fiight andduring taxi-ing of the airplane.

Another and equally lmportant object of` the invention may be stated to reside in the provision of a braking means of the character mentioned, so mounted that'the same willnot interfere in any way with normal fiight of an equipped airplane and which, is lcapable of -being controlled from a point within the fuselage convenient to the pilot, in order that the ybraking action created 3 thereby, may be effected at will..

Other objects of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. f

In order that the invention and its mode of operation may be readily understood by persons skilled in the art, I have in the accompanying illustrative drawings,jand in the detailed following description based thereon, set out several possible embodiments ofthe same. Y

In these drawingsz, f p

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective of an airplane equipped with the improved braking mechanism, a v

Figure 2 is an enlargedv fragmentarydetail, partlyin longitudinal section, showing the braking device mounted adjacent the rearend or tail of theairplane fuselage, toget-her with the meansA forvcontrolling' rota- 0 tionf'of the same from a remote point,

' plane control devices,

Figure?) is van enlarged fragmentary detail in vertical section through the hub portion of the improved braking device, y Figure tis an enlarged fragmentary detail in plan of the vrear showing the mounting of the braking device with, respect to the fuselage tail, and the Figure 5 1s a fragmentary the coiled motor spring of the braking device,

Figure 6y is an enlarged fragmentary detail in perspective illustrating the hollow aXle for'supporting the rotatable air displacT 65 ing andvbraking device with respect to the rear or tail end of an airplane fuselage, and Figure 7 is a side elevation of an airplane having a slightly modified form of driving 70 means for the braking device. n p.

Having more particular reference to the drawings, in connection with which like characters of reference will designate correspondfing parts throughout, the Aimproved brakingdevice is especially adapted forense in cong nection with 'a flying machine of thel heavier than air type, commonly known in this art as an airplane, consequently, Ihave shown for `purposes of illustration in this particular embodiment of the invention, theV sameas being linstalled-upon an airplane wherein the numerall1indicatesthe fuselage of thel machine, the forward portion of which is provided with the usual sustaining planes 2, while the 5 indicated by the numeral 7 is mounted upon 95 the forward end .ofthe fuselage 1 and is providedwithpower from a motor or the like within such fuselage.

The ,improved` brakingy mechanism may be stated` to-cornprise avrotatable propeller-like ,M

device generally indicated by the numeral 8,

portion of an airplane detail in secv tion illustrating the gear means for winding 00 formed with a hollow or drum-like hub portion 9 adapted to be loosely and rotatably mounted upon a hollow axle 10, which, in turn, is fixedly mounted adjacent tle tail end of the fuselage 1 by means of a bracket or similar securing device 11 fixedly connected to an appropriate portion of said fuselage.

Thisdrum-'like hub portion i9 of the braking device 8 fixedly carries upon the normally inner side thereof, a spiral gear 12 meshing with a worm gear 13 having `rotznab'le `bearing, as at 14 Within bearing brackets 15 carried upon a sleeve or collar 16 mounted upon the inner end portion of the hollow axle 19, as is shown in the Figure 6, land fixedly 4connected to such axle through the medium of a vsecuring pin,bolt or other device 17. In this connection, it is to be Vnoted that one of the bearing portions 14 of the worm gear 13 is provided with a cross-sectionally Ysquare shank or extension 18 and that this shank .is adapted, at times, to be engaged by the correspondingly shaped wrench portion .19 of a crank handle 20, thepurpose of which will be subsequently described. Also,it will bev seen, upon reference to the Figures 2 and 5, that the collar 16 is provided with a ixedly mounted arm 21 having a guide opening 22 formed in the free extremity thereof, adapted to receive a ratchet pin 23 through the same and to slidably support it. Y

To prevent displacement of the rotatable braking device 8 from the yhollow axle 10, a locking nut or .similar device 24 is engaged with the outer end of said axle and, as shown in the Figure 2, has abutting engagement with the adjacent side wall of the drum-like hub portion 9.

With a view Vtoward providing ,the rotatable braking device 8 with motive means for imparting rotary force or motion thereto, I arrange within the drum-like hub portion 9, a flat spiral or clock spring designated by the numeral 25, securing one yend of said spring, as at 26, to a portion of the hol-low axle 10 by passing a screw or similar fastening device into the screw threaded openingv 27 formedin said axle, while .the opposite or remaining end of the spring 25 is connected 'to a portion of theinner peripherial wall of said hub, as is indicated by the numeral 28. Thus, it will be seen that 4by engaging the wrench portion 19 of the crank handle V20 with the squared .extension 18 of the worm gear bea-ring 14, rotary motion may be imparted tothe vbraking device 8 in a direction to place the clock spring 25 under tension. When vthe desired degree of tension has been secured in the spring 25, the slidp able ratchet pin or pawl 23 is caused to engage in an opening, provided therefor in the adjacent sidewall of the drumdike hub portion 9 and indicated bythe numeral 29. '.flhusfthe lrotatable braking device `will be held stationary and lthe spring 25 will be vided and has one end thereof connected to the eyelet portion of the pin or pawl 23, as is shown in t-he Figure 2, while the cable is then passed longitudinally of the plane fuselage, through an opening 31 therein, into the fuselage to a point in proximity to the pilot compartment, whereat, if desired, it may be provided with a linger piece 32 and maybe slidably supported upon a suitable bracket or -other device, not shown herein, whereby to effect a definite locating and supporting of the same within such pilot coinpartment. Consequently upon the povision of this cable 30, it will be understood that the pilot, when desiring to disengage the ratchet pin or pawl 23 from the` hub 9, need only engage the linger piece 32 of the cable 30 and pull the samein a direction to eii'ect withdrawal of said engaged opening 29 in the hub of the braking device 8.l At vthis time, the braking de: vice will be caused torotate, at high velocity, by reason of the motive force directed Ithereto fromv the previously tension clock spring25.

In this connection, it will be noted, upon reference to the Figures l .and 2, that the blades ofthe propeller-like braking device, indicated at this time for convenience by the numeral 33, are arranged at pitches such as will cause'a displacement of air in a direction opposite to 4the normal forward lines oftravel of the airplane when under influy ence of itspropeller 7. Because of this, it willbe understood that when the ratchet pin V23 is disengaged Vfrom the hub portion 9 of said braking device and such device is'permitted to rotate under the influence of the motive means 25 at a high velocity, a detinite and ,positive braking action will be set up .upon the normally forward line of travel Aof the equipped air plane and that such plane will therefore be effectually braked.V

For convenience in operation yof the rudder 4 of the airplane, I lmay Vand preferably do pass the operating cables v6, provided therefor, through the hollowvaxle 10 and into the fuselage 1 vto ya Vpoint whereat theyare connected with `the usual operating 'devices within the pilot compartment.v Thus, it will be appreciated that the mounting of the rotatable rbraking device 8 in proximity to V-llO the rudder 4, will in no way interfere with normal operation of the latter.

In the Figure I have shown a slightly modified form* of driving or motive means for the braking device, such braking device being designated in this particular embodiment by the reference character 8. Herein, the drive sh aft 34: is mounted within and disposed longitudinally of the airplane fuselage 1', said shaft being extended to a point beyond the rear or tail portion of said fuselage and having the rotatable braking device 8 iXedly mounted thereupon. The inner or remaining end of the drive shaft 34 is connected with suitable gearing or power transmission mechanism, so arranged and constructed, that a drive reverse in its direction to the drive of the airplane propeller 7', will be transmitted to the braking device 8'; this power transmitting mechanism, indicated by the numeral 35, being connected by means of a driven shaft 36 to the airplane motor 37 and being adapted to be selectively operated by means of a control lever 38 mounted within the pilot compartment and connected to suitable clutch mechanism (not shown) for connecting or disconnecting said driven shaft to or from said motor 37, as may be desired.

From the foregoing, it willl be understood by Workers skilled in this particular art, that I have provided a simple yet highly effectual type of motion retarding or braking means for airplanes, whereby the normal forward line of travel of an equipped airplane under momentum, may be definitely braked. Because gf this, it will be seen that an airplane equipped with the invent-ion may be caused to effect successful landing upon a field of comparatively restricted size, inasmuch as with landing of the airplane upon terrain, the braking device may be placed in operation by the plane pilot, whereupon it will Vexert a positive retarding force with respect to the normal forward lines of travel of the machine. l Obviously, the size or length of the motor spring 25, may be varied, according to the particular time or duration for whichit is desired to rotate the braking device 8 and likewise, it is to be understood that, if desired, the manually operable means for tensioning the motor spring 25 within the drum-like hub portion 9, may be varied.

Manifestly, the construction shown is cap able of considerable modication, and such modification as is within the scope of my claims I consider within the spirit of my invention. f

I claim 1 1. In an airplane, rotatable air displacing means mounted adjacent a portion of the fuselage, adapted, with rotation, to exert a braking influence upon the normal forward line of motion of said airplane, automatic means contained within said rotatable air displacing means for imparting rotary motion thereto, andmeans for controlling operation of said automatic means.

.2. In anairplane, a rotatable air displacing means mounted adjacent a portion of the fuselage adapted, with rotation, to exert a braking influence upon the normal forward line of motion of said airplane, spring means contained within said air displacing means adapted to be placed under tension, at times, and means for controlling rotation of said air displacing means by the spring means.

3. In an airplane, a rotatable air displacing device mounted adjacent the rear end of the airplane fuselage and comprising air displacing blades and a casing-like hub portion, an aXle for rotatably supporting said air displacing means with respect to the fuselage, spring means arranged within said casinglike hub portion .having one end connected thereto and the opposite end connected to said axle for transmitting rotary motion to the air displacing means, at times, and `means operable from a remote. point for controlling operation of said spring means.

4. In an airplane, a rotatable air displacing means mounted adjacent a portion of the fuselage, adapted, with operation, to exert a braking influence upon the normal forward line of motion of said airplane, said air displacing Ameans being formed with a central chamber, motive means mounted within said chamber and adapted to normally urge sai air displacing means into a rotary motion, and means for holding said air' displacing means against the normal action ofsaid motive means. y

5. In an airplane, an air displacing device rotatably mounted adjacent a portion of the fuselage comprising relatively opposed blades and a drum-like hub portion, motive means contained within said drum-like hub portion normally acting upon the air displacing device for transmitting rotary motion thereto, and means engageable with said air displacing device for against the normal action of said motive 6. In an airplane,- air displacing means mounted adjacent a portion of the fuselage adapted, with operation, to exert a braking influence upon the normal forward motion of said airplane, motive means normally acting upon the air displacing means for transmitting rotary motion thereto, and means en- Y gageable with said air4 displacing means for holding the same against the normal action of said motive means.

In witness whereof my hand. Y

JOHN W. VSEIDEN.

I have hereunto lset holding the same Y 

